Holding Things Together

"[Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together." - Colossians 1:15-17

Things have been a bit crazy lately. Our family is finally finished with our 3,500 miles of June travel and we get to spend a few days at home this week, reflecting on all that has gone on during this past month. At times it felt like things were being held together by a glued together chain of links made of construction paper. And yet, here we are.

Over the weekend I was reading through Colossians again and was really struck by this section of chapter 1 written above: "...in him all things hold together." In the context of this passage it seems that Christ being the authority over all rulers and authorities. Those rulers are what "things" refers to. Christ is the ultimate authority with ultimate power and dominion. As I thought about this in my own life I began to see the futility of worry. Here I see clearly written that Christ is sovereign over all, from the king down to the police officer to the guy selling me gas at the Kangaroo station in Tennessee.

But I still worry about "things". I worry about finding a good home or providing for my family or selling my old house. Is not Christ in control of these things too? Is He not holding all the individuals involved with all of these needs together under His ultimate authority? Of course He's got it covered. Nothing escapes His control or command. Whether it is a home showing or an accident on the highway or a job, He guides and governs. So why do I still find it hard to trust Him?

At times like these I can only pray what the father of the demonized boy prayed: "I believe; help my unbelief" (Mark 9:24). Even when I struggle with faith, Christ is faithful. Even when I don't have complete belief, Christ is completely gracious and sovereign. That is what I can rest in and why I can have peace even when things don't seem to be coming together in my time. God is faithful and His Son will continue to hold all things together. I pray that I will be content to watch it happen.

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